Throttle actuating device



Mamh 1941- e. A. RUBISSOW THROTTLE ACTUATING DEVICE Filed Aug. 23, 1937 fa w. E 6

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Patented Mar. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application August 23,

13 Claims.

The existing accelerator devices actuated by means of footwear (or foot) are all very defective because they require a constant pressure from the footwear of the operator, which pressure may only be maintained if constant will-power is used and is maintained in the muscles and nerves of the leg and/or the foot of the operator. No doubt this is not only extremely tiringbut also very damaging to the health of the operator, espe cially if the operator is a professional driver or has to drive several hours at a time.

Many inventors have tried to eliminate the said inconveniences of the existing throttle and/or accelerator arrangements and by different means, in particular as described for instance in the U. S. A. Patents Nos. 1,103,095, 1,080,936, 1,399,519, 1,502,523, 1,439,194, 1,344,466, 1,423,489, 1,434,319, 1,274,491, 1,238,126, and 1,530,894, and in the French Patent No. 762,492, but none of the mentioned inventors and no other inventors have found a device which may be, easily and at the lowest cost, adapted to the already existing installed throttles. There are several million automobiles provided with ordinary throttle devices.

The present invention consists ina device which may be adapted and installed in a few minutes to any existing type of throttle, and, when so installed, the said device offers the following advantages:

The driver, instead of keeping: his foot (or footwear) in a permanently raised'position, may rest his foot on the floor without any tension or intentional force to be provided in his muscles and/or in his nerves. That means that the operator who uses the present invention will use his foot exactly in the same manner as if he were sitting in the chair of a theater, when his feet are just resting on the floor without any will-action and without any special force to be provided in the muscles and nerves.

Furthermore, the driver, instead of pressing the footwear against the throttle accelerator pedal (as the operators do at the present time with the existing throttles), will only be obliged to move his footwear to and fro (or sideways or both) contacting during this movement the member (actuating device) subject of this invention, and will operate, by means of this displacement of his footwear (resting or sliding on the floor), the throttle accelerator pedal to which the member is connected by suitable means.

The member (or device arrangement), subject of this invention, consistsof a rigid member in the form of a lever, made of any suitable material, which member contains an articulating axle 1937, Serial No. 169,425

by means of which it is attached to the floor, and around Which axle, it may be rotated.

When the member is moved by the contacting footwear from one position to another, the suitable part of this member (by means of rigid or flexible connecting means) displaces simultaneously with its rotation the throttle accelerator pedal to which the connecting means is also attached by its other end.

This invention, therefore, removes the pressure and the tension generally used by the operator (for instance, in automobiles, buses, trucks, trolleys, locomotives, boats, airplanes, pumps, etc., any kind of industrial engines, etc.) permitting the displacement of the footwear on the floor in a state of resting without any tensionand fatigue.

This displacing of the footwear and the keeping of the footwear in any operating position aslong as desired is without any fatigue or tension to the operator, and the operator may even move his footwear, continuing to maintain the contact with the said member (lever arrangement); in fact, the contact may be kept by contacting the footwear to the lever arrangement only in one point; the other part of the footwear, during the time of contacting (or operating) may be moved to the side or tilted slightly to one side or another, so that some movements willbe made by the resting footwear, and such changes will free the foot from the necessity of retaining one. position.

The other very important subject of this invention is the friction between the footwear and the floor and the choice of this friction in relation to the total reaction of the throttle (including the lever-arrangement (or member), which friction must be so chosen that the footwear will be kept in a resting state by itself due to, the friction phenomena, and. this in any required operating position. This may be easily arranged according to another aspect of this invention, whereby the desirable choice is easily made in advance of selecting the relationship between the two levers: one lever is to be equal to the distance between the axle of rotation of the member and the point of attachment of the conne'ctingmeans; and the second lever is to be equal to the distance between the said axle of rotation and the point of contacting the said member with the footwear. This choice of the said relationship is one of the most important subjects of this invention because it establishes the possibility of choosing the lever parts so that the footwearmay be kept in its resting state in any operating position without using an intentional pressure or muscle force or the like.

Figure 1 represents a diagrammatical front view partly in cross section of the throttle actuating device.

Figure 2 is the top plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view (partly in cross-section) from right to left through axis AA.

Figure 4 represents a top plan view of a throttle actuating device consisting of two articulating parts.

Figure 5 represents a top plan View of a throttle actuating device in a curved form.

Figure 6 represents a diagrammatical front View of a throttle actuating device.

Figure '7 is the plan top View of Figure 6.

Figure 8 represents an accelerator pedal actuating device operating through the intermediary I of flexible means and a roller.

Figure 9 represents a different means of attachment of the articulated connecting means or flexible means to the throttle or to the lever of the accelerator.

Figure 10 represents a throttle actuating device, the footwear and the arresting guideway.

All these figures represent only a schematical view of some of the realizations; many other realizations entering this description and in the scope of the claims of this specification are possible.

The device according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, includes a lever which lies flat on the floor and is pivoted about aXis BB through any suitable means, such as screws, bolts and the like. If necessary, between the floor 9 and the said lever 2 may be placed at any desirable position an intermediary plate or intermediary strip of any material in order to obtain the required increasing or diminishing of the friction when the device 2 is acting.

The articulating means I may also be provided with a spring placed between the device 2 and the joint 3| so that this spring may exert the necessary pressure on the device 2 for the pur pose of regulating the friction in this articulated element.

The throttle pedal operating member l which is shown in cross section is attached by any suitable means 5 to the upper end of a link 4, the other end of which is pivoted about the axle It! which passes through the support means 6 which form' part of the lever 2. The lever 2 is provided on the side opposite to its center of articulation 1 (around the axle BB) with an abutment 3, which forms part of 2 or is affixed to 2 by any required means. This abutment 3 is shown in Figures 1 and 2, and is arranged to facilitate having the footwear contact the device 2 and may be of any desirable shape, form and curve.

When the device 2 is moved around the axle BB, the axle CC may pass, for instance, into the position C1C1 (Figure 2). At the same time, the link 4 will press down (or vice versa, if necessary, or to the side, if necessary), the throttle on which the other end of the link 4 is attached. During this operation it may happen, if the material from which the lever 2 is made is not strong enough, that this material may have a tendency to be bent because the side opposite to the axle BB will be lifted. To prevent this a guide means 8 may be provided of any shape, form and material, which may arrest this tendency.

In Figure 2 the support means 6 for the spindle l0 are pressed out from the body of the lever 2.

In Figure 4 is shown, instead of a rigid link 4,

a flexible means l2 which may be a chain, belt, strip, wire or the like.

Any of these arrangements may, if necessary, be provided with elastic means I3 placed at any point to increase or to diminish the resistance effects or the frictional forces to which the device is submitted, and also, if necessary, to act as a return means for more easily putting the device on its ticking-over position.

The device 2 in Figure 4 is itself an articulated device consisting of two different parts, part 2 and part M, connected by a proper means l5 (screw, bolt, spring or the like) so that the angle between the axle DD and EE may be chosen as required to suit the convenience of the operator. If necessary, instead of two parts, there may be more. This adjustable device is of the greatest importance for use in any kind of cars where space and the position of footwear demands for each particular case a particular arrangement. In order to increase the friction it may be desirable to provide certain of the devices with a small attached frictional body l5a which may be of any form and generally may be made of any material. In certain cases it may be made hollow or solid. This frictional body |5a may be of any height required or corresponding to the footwear and may be attached to the lever 2 or to its parts 3 or may be attached by any flexible means.

When the footwear pushes the said member l5a, the total friction to be taken into consideration is increased by the friction provided by the said member I5a.

In Figure 5 is shown a throttle having the form of an ordinary round cup as has been employed in the older cars and the device ll which is articulated around the axle passing through I8 and is connected to the said throttle 5, also by the articulating or flexible means 4.

The device I! may be provided, if necessary, with many holes I9, 20 and the like, placed at certain distances, each of which can receive the articulating axle I. This is important if for cer tain reasons different positions of the articulating axle are required and one of them may be chosen to satisfy the driver.

In Figures 5, 6 and 7 the axle of articulation FF is placed between the end of the device 2, on which the articulating connecting means 4 is attached, and the abutment 3 against which the footwear is applied.

A joint or a washer of any material may be placed around the axle I of rotation between the floor and the operating member 2 in order to lift the said operating member 2 from the floor and thus diminish the friction. If necessary, such a joint or washer may be provided with a spring placed in the vicinity or around the said axle so that the said spring presses the said member 2 with a desired force.

As shown in Figure 6, the relationship between an and 3 may be so chosen that it gives satisfaction to the driver, and it is particularly recommended by this invention that the y will be so large in proportion to a: that the driver may keep the device 2 at a desirable operating position without any effort in his muscles, which effort may be produced at will. By means of the ordinary passive weight of the driver's footwear, clothes and part of the leg, which produce a certain weight if they rest on the floor, the total weight will be sufficient to produce the necessary friction which should balance the total reaction of the throttle or even surpass it by means of the friction created between the said footwear or one of its partsresting onthe floor or the like. This will allow the driver to never feel the reaction or the tension which is generally produced by pressing the throttle as in this case. Instead of pressing the throttle downwards, the foot is resting onthe floor and is not submitted to any tension created'voluntarily or instinctively.

The relationship between-r and y (Figure 6), in case of an arrangement as shown in Figure 2, must be replaced by the corresponding ratio of levers ml and yl because the axleof rotation in Figure 2 is notlocated atanintermediate part of the member but atone end of'it. This will req'uirecorresponding changes as to the relationship "between r and 1! replaced by $1 and 111.

In Figure 8 is shown that instead of a me chanical lever arrangement as explained in other figures, a flexible means 2| attached to the throttle or its part I by means of 5 passes through a roller or a guideway22. The other end of the flexible means 2! is attached on 23 by means of 32. Zimay be a member which can be displaced to and fro (or to the side) and is guided by guideways 33 of any shape and form. When the operator displaces 23 by his footwear, the flexible means 2| displaces the throttle I and the same absence of any fatigue in the muscles as described before is produced by this very easy means.

In many cases the member 23 may be contacted not directly by the footwear but by one of the described members (leverarrangements) as described in Figure 1, 4, 5; 6, etc., and by this means the rigid articulating levers (for instance 4 in Figure 1 or the flexible articulating connecting means I2 in Figure 4 or any other) may be replaced by the flexible means 2| and the member 23. If member 23 is not used, the flexible means 2| may be directly attached to a suitable part of the levers r or 1/, Figure 6, or levers m1 and m of Figure 2.

Instead of one roller, more than one roller may be used. If necessary the rollers may be replaced by guideways. The roller or the guideways may be arranged'on a proper plane or planes at any proper angle or angles in order to facilitate the operation of the throttle.

The connecting means may also be composite; for instance, they may consist of rigid links or levers connected with flexible means or consist of a flexible means connected toa rigid part and thereafter connected once moreto flexible means or partly rigid and partly flexible means, or they may consist of more than one articulating lever.

In Figure 9 are shown different means of fixation on the throttle of the articulating lever 4 or any flexible means [2, 2| and'the like.

25 isa piece of curved wire fixed in the throttle.

26 is a member which covers the throttle from two or more sides andis held by pressure or other means on the throttle.

21 is a band or a wire which surrounds the throttle.

2B is a spring arrangement which presses the throttle.

29 is an element with teeth which whenpressed on the side'gripsthe throttle and rests attached on it.

30 is a cup which covers the throttle and on which cup the necessary axle 5 is attached.

The connecting member also called lever 4 or any flexible connecting means may be attached to a part of the accelerator lever or to any appropriate lever of the accelerator device, instead of being attached to the throttle pedal.

In many cases it will be advisable to place sideways to the footwear II (Figure 10) and'in the vicinity of the operating member ll an arresting means 34 which is raised on the floor, so that the footwear II when sliding between the said arresting means 34 and the operating member 11 may be lightly compressed between them by means of the reaction forces of the throttle accelerator arrangement. The arresting means may be attached to or form a part of a commongeneric support-plate (not shown in the drawing) on which plate the operating member I1, or 2 or the like is fixed upon, so that the complete device may consist of one sale-unit easy to locate and easy to handle.

Such arresting means may be of any form, any shape and any material and placed at any required angle. The said arresting means will diminish in many cases the reaction of the throttle and in cases where the reaction is great, will render it easier to compensate the said reaction by the friction between the footwear and the floor.

Although certain forms of my invention have been shown and described in the application by way of illustration, it will be understood that many other variations may also be constructed as they are described, or if they come within the scope of the text of the specification or the appended claims.

Having now particularly described and ascertained' the nature of my said invention and in what manner the said invention operates, I declare to what I claim:

1. A foot-operating device to be used in combination with a common-accelerator pedal, comprising a lever mounted upon an axis substantially perpendicular to the flooring and a connecting member pivotally connected to said lever and adapted to be pivotally connected to said common accelerator pedal, said connecting memher being operative to actuate said common accelerator pedal upon pivotal movement of said lever.

2. A device comprising a lever hingedly secured at one end to a support aflixed on the flooring, whereby the lever can be rocked in a plane substantially parallel to the flooring, a connecting member attached at one end to the said lever at a point intermediate to the ends of the said lever and the other end of the said connecting member being attached to the accelerator pedal so that when the lever is rocked to and fro by means of the foot which contacts the said lever, the said accelerator pedal is moved up and down.

3. A device for actuating the common accelerator pedal of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising a lever mounted upon an axis substantially perpendicular to the flooring, a connecting member, one end of which is connected by articulating means with the said common accelerator pedal and the other end of which is connected by another articulating means with the said lever at a suitable distance from the axis of rotation, the said lever being provided, on the part which contacts the foot, with an upstanding flange, when the said lever is rocked to and fro by means of the foot which contacts the said lever, the said lever moves substantially parallel to the flooring and the said common accelerator pedal is simultaneously moved up and down.

4. A device for actuating the common accelerator pedal of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising a lever mounted upon an axis substantially perpendicular to the flooring, a connecting member, one end of which is connected by articulating means with the said common accelerator pedal and the other end of which is connected by another articulating means with the said lever at a suitable distance from the axis of rotation, a guide member for the lever being secured to the flooring to prevent bending of the lever during actuation thereof, when the said lever is rocked to and fro by means of the foot which contacts the said lever, the said lever moves substantially parallel to the flooring and the said common accelerator pedal is simultaneously moved up and down.

5. A device for actuating the common accelerator pedal of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising a lever mounted upon an axis substantially perpendicular to the flooring, a connecting member, one end of which is connected by articulating means with the said common accelerator pedal and the other end of which is connected by another articulating means with the said lever at a suitable distance from the said axis of rotation, the said axis being mounted at a point intermediate to the ends of the lever, the end of the smaller part of the lever being attached to one end of the connecting means, the end of the larger part of the lever forming the contact surface for the foot, when the said lever is rocked to and fro by means of the foot which contacts the said lever, the said lever moves substantially parallel to the flooring and the said common accelerator pedal is simultaneously moved up and down.

6. A device for actuating the common accelerator pedal of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising a lever mounted upon an axis substantially perpendicular to the flooring, a connecting member, one end of which is connected by articulating means with the said common accelerator pedal and the other end of which is connected by another articulating means with the said lever at a suitable distance from the axis of rotation, when the said lever is rocked to and fro by means of the foot which contacts the said lever, the said lever moves substantially parallel to the flooring and the said common accelerator pedal is simultaneously moved up and down.

7. A foot-operating device to be used in combination with a common accelerator pedal, comprising a lever mounted upon an axis substantially perpendicular to the flooring and a connecting member pivotally connected to said lever and adapted to be pivotally connected to said common accelerator pedal, said connecting member being operative to actuate said common accelerator pedal upon pivotal movement of said lever, said lever being composed of a number of parts hinged together and capable of being locked in a predetermined position.

8. A foot-operating device to be used in combination with a common accelerator pedal, comprising a lever mounted upon an axis substantially perpendicular to the flooring and a con-- necting member pivotally connected to said lever and adapted to be pivotally connected to said common accelerator pedal, said connecting member being operative to actuate said common accelerator pedal upon pivotal movement oi. said lever, a friction-increasing body covering at least one part of the displacement area of the footwear during the actuation of the said lever.

9. A foot-operating device to be used in combination with a common accelerator pedal, comprising a lever mounted upon an axis substantially perpendicular to the flooring and a connecting member pivotally connected to said lever and adapted to be pivotally connected to said common accelerator pedal, said connecting member being operative to actuate said common accelerator pedal upon pivotal movement of said lever, said lever being associated with resilient means for increasing or reducing the reaction of the throttle.

10. A foot-operating device to be used in combination with a common accelerator pedal, comprising a lever mounted upon an axis substantially perpendicular to the flooring and a connecting member pivotally connected to said lever and adapted to be pivotally connected to said common accelerator pedal, said connecting member being operative to actuate said common accelerator pedal upon pivotal movement of said lever, the said lever being provided with a number of holes any one of which may be engaged by a bolt or the like which forms the said axle of rotation of the said lever.

11. A foot-operating device to be used in combination with a common accelerator pedal, comprising a lever mounted upon an axis substantially perpendicular to the flooring and a connecting member pivotally connected to said lever and adapted to be pivotally connected to said common accelerator pedal, said connecting member being operative to actuate said common accelerator pedal upon pivotal movement of said lever, a guide member raised from the floor in the vicinity of the displacement area of the said lever to enable the footwear to be engaged between the said guide member and a part of the said lever.

12. A foot-operating device to be used in combination with a common accelerator pedal, comprising a lever mounted upon an axis substantially perpendicular to the flooring and a connecting member pivotally connected to said lever and adapted to be pivotally connected to said common accelerator pedal, said connecting member being operative to actuate said common accelerator pedal upon pivotal movement of said lever, a sliding member hingedly afiixed to the operative part of the said lever.

13. A foot-operating device to be used in combination with a common accelerator pedal, comprising a lever mounted upon an axis substantially perpendicular to the flooring and a flexible connection one end of which is connected to the said lever and the other end of which is connected to the said accelerator pedal, said flexible connection being operative to actuate said common accelerator pedal upon pivotal movement of said lever.

GEORGE A. RUBISSOW. 

